Method and machine for the making of cigarette packs or the like

ABSTRACT

A cigarette packing machine wherein empty packs are produced independently of the rate of formation and transport of blocks of cigarettes. The blocks of cigarettes are introduced into a compacting turret which rotates past a detector serving to effect transfer of an empty pack to a pack filling station whenever it detects a satisfactory blocks so that a particular empty pack is assigned to each scanned block. Unfilled packs are temporarily stored or immediately removed from the packing machine. If stored, the empty packs can be moved stepwise along an endless path defined by one or more turrets or one or more turrets and one or more belt conveyors.

United States Patent [191 Kruse et 'al.

[ METHOD AND MACHINE FOR THE MAKING OF CIGARETTE PACKS OR THE LIKE 1 May29, I973 Primary Examiner-Robert C. Riordon Assistant Examiner-E. F.Desmond Attorney-Michael S. Striker [73] Assignee: Hauni-Werke Korber &Co. KG, [57] ABSTRACT am urg Grmany A cigarette packing machine whereinempty packs are [22] Filed: Oct. 20, 1970 produced independently of therate of formation and [21] AppL No; 82,468 transport of blocks ofcigarettes. The blocks of cigarettes are introduced into a compactingturret which rotates past a detector serving to effect transfer [52] US.Cl. ..131/25, 53/26, 53/29, f an empty pack to a pack filli Stationwhenever it 53/74 53/148 53/183' 53/236 detects a satisfactory blocks sothat a particular empty [51] lnt Cl. ..A24c 5/35, B65b 19/22 pack isassigned to each scanned block unfilled packs Fleld 0 Search I83, 148,are temporarily Stored or immediately removed f 53/149 236 the packingmachine. If stored, the empty packs can i i be moved stepwise along anendless path defined by [56] References cued one or more turrets or oneor more turrets and one or UNITED STATES PATENTS more belt conveyors-2,810,998 10 1957 Niepmann ..53 183 68 Claims, 62 Drawing Figures 74a. ly 72 71a Q1 0 I? m a Ii i ii 36 a U a: U

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1. A method of making, filling and treating containers for groups ofrod-shaped tobacco products, comprising the steps of converting blanksof deformable sheet material into open empty containers and transportingthe thus obtained containers along at least one first path; forming andtransporting a succession of groups of rod-shaped tobacco products alonga second path independently of the conversion of blanks into emptycontainers and vice versa, said forming step comprising producing saidtobacco products at a producing station, establishing a direct thirdpath for the transport of tobacco products from said station to saidsecond path, accumulating in said third path a floating supply oftobacco products, withdrawing said groups of tobacco products from saidsupply for delivery to said second path, and interrupting the withdrawalof groups when said supply is depleted to a predetermined minimum level;withdrawing from said first path an empty container only when a group isadvanced along said second path and introducing such group into therespective empty container to form a filled container; and subjectingonly the filled containers to at least one further treatment.
 2. Amethod as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step oftransporting filled containers along a fourth path, said step ofsubjecting filled containers to at least one treatment being carried outsimultaneously with the transport of filled containers along said fourthpath.
 3. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein said step of subjectingfilled containers to at least one treatment comprises closing and atleast partially sealing the containers around the respective groups. 4.A method as defined in claim 3, wherein said first path is distinct andseparate from said fourth path.
 5. A method as defined in claim 1,wherein said first path is an endless path.
 6. A method as defined inclaim 1, wherein said converting step comprises introducing the blanksinto said first path, transporting the blanks along at least a portionof said first path, and deforming the blanks during transport along saidportion of said first path so that each of the thus deformed blanksconstitutes at least one envelope of an open empty container.
 7. Amethod as defined in claim 6, wherein said first path is an endlesspath.
 8. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein at least a portion ofsaid first path constitutes at least one endless path wherein emptycontainers circulate preparatory to withdrawal from said first path forreception of a commodity.
 9. A method as defined in claim 1, furthercomprising the step of temporarily storing empty containers in a portionof said first path.
 10. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein at leasta portion of said first path constitutes at least one endless pathwherein empty containers circulate preparatory to withdrawal forreception of a group and wherein such withdrawal takes place in apredetermined portion of said endless path so that an empty containerwhich is not withdrawn from said portion of said endless path canthereupon be withdrawn only after completion of travel along the fulllength of said endless path.
 11. A method as defined in claim 1, whereinat least a portion of said first path constitutes at least one endlesscircular path for empty containers.
 12. A method as defined in claim 1,wherein said first path comprises at least one straight portion.
 13. Amethod of making, filling and treating containers, particularly packsfor rod-shaped tobacco products or analogous commodities, comprising thesteps of converting blanks of deformable sheet material into open emptycontainers and transporting the thus obtained empty containers along atleast one first path comprising at least one straight portion and atleast one endless portion, said converting step comprising transportingthe blanks along said endless portion and deforming the blanks dUringtransport along such endless portion so that each of the thus deformedblanks constitutes at least one envelope of an open empty container andthereupon transferring the empty container from said endless portioninto said straight portion; transporting a succession of commoditiesalong a second path; withdrawing from said first path an empty containeronly when a commodity is advanced along said second path and introducingsuch commodity into the respective empty container to form a filledcontainer; and subjecting only the filled containers to at least onetreatment.
 14. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said convertingstep comprises providing selected portions of at least some blanks withan adhesive, deforming the blanks to form open empty containers, andheating said selected portions of the blanks.
 15. A method as defined inclaim 1, further comprising the step of removing from said first paththose empty containers which are not withdrawn for reception of groups.16. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step ofmonitoring said second path to detect the presence and absence ofgroups, and withdrawing from said first path empty containers inresponse to detection of groups in said second path.
 17. A method asdefined in claim 1, further comprising the step of transporting filledcontainers along a fourth path, said step of subjecting filledcontainers to at least one treatment being performed upon containers insaid fourth path and said withdrawing step comprising transferring emptycontainers from said first into said fourth path.
 18. A method asdefined in claim 1, wherein said first and second paths extend along afilling station and further comprising the steps of scanning said secondpath at a predetermined distance from said filling station to detect thepresence and absence of groups, selecting in said first path an emptycontainer for each of the thus detected groups, and transporting thedetected group and the selected empty container at such speeds that thedetected group reaches said filling station simultaneously with theselected empty container.
 19. A method as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid converting step comprises transporting the blanks stepwise, alwaysfor a first predetermined interval of time, maintaining the blanks at astandstill for predetermined second intervals of time which alternatewith said first intervals, and deforming the blanks during at least oneof said first intervals and at least one of said second intervals.
 20. Amethod as defined in claim 19, wherein said deforming step is completedduring a period which is a whole multiple of the sum of one of saidfirst and second intervals.
 21. A method as defined in claim 1, furthercomprising the steps of scanning said first path to detect the presenceand absence of empty containers therein, and regulating said convertingstep in dependency on such detection.
 22. A method as defined in claim21, further comprising the steps of scanning said first path to detectthe presence and absence of empty containers therein, and regulating theadmission of blanks into said first path in dependency on suchdetection.
 23. A method as defined in claim 22, wherein the admission ofblanks into said first path takes place in response to detection of theabsence of empty containers.
 24. A method as defined in claim 1, furthercomprising the steps of scanning said first path to detect the presenceand absence of empty containers and regulating said converting step inresponse to such detection.
 25. A method as defined in claim 1, furthercomprising the steps of scanning said first path for the presence andabsence of blanks, and regulating said converting step in dependency onsuch detection.
 26. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprisingthe steps of supplying blanks into said first path along at least onefurther path, scanning said further path to detect the presence andabsence of blanks, and Producing signals in response to such detection.27. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein said transporting stepscomprise intermittently advancing the containers and the groups, alwaysfor a first predetermined interval of time, and maintaining thecontainers and groups at a standstill for second predetermined intervalsof time, said converting step comprising moving the blanksintermittently into and along said first path in synchronism with saidcontainers and groups.
 28. A method as defined in claim 27, wherein saidconverting step further comprises deforming the blanks in said firstpath during at least one period which is a whole multiple of the sum ofone of said first and one of said second intervals.
 29. A machine formaking, filling and treatment of containers, particularly packs forgroups of rod-shaped tobacco products, comprising blank supplying meansincluding at least one source of deformable sheet-like blanks, anassembly for converting blanks furnished by said source into open emptycontainers, including blank deforming means and first transporting meansfor conveying empty containers along a first path; means for producingtobacco products; conveyor means for delivering the output of saidproducing means; a magazine arranged to receive such output and toaccumulate therein a floating supply of tobacco products; means forforming a succession of groups of rod-shaped tobacco productsindependently of the operation of said blank deforming means andvice-versa, comprising means for removing groups of tobacco productsfrom said floating supply; means for deactivating said forming means inresponse to depletion of said supply to a predetermined level; secondtransporting means for conveying the groups along a second path; fillingmeans for transferring groups from said second path into emptycontainers; transfer means for transferring from said first path to saidfilling means empty containers when said filling means transfers groupsfrom said second path; and treating means for treating the thus filledcontainers.
 30. A machine as defined in claim 29, wherein at least aportion of said first path constitutes an endless path.
 31. A machine asdefined in claim 29, wherein said first transporting means comprises atleast one rotary conveyor.
 32. A machine as defined in claim 31, whereinsaid deforming means comprises deforming elements arranged to move withsaid conveyor.
 33. A machine as defined in claim 29, wherein said firsttransporting means includes means for temporary storage of emptycontainers.
 34. A machine as defined in claim 29, wherein said fillingmeans and said transfer means are respectively adjacent to said secondand first paths.
 35. A machine as defined in claim 29, wherein saidfirst transporting means comprises at least one rotary turret.
 36. Amachine as defined in claim 29, wherein said first transporting meanscomprises at least one conveyor which defines a substantially straightportion of said first path.
 37. A machine as defined in claim 36,wherein said one conveyor comprises at least one endless flexibleelement.
 38. A machine as defined in claim 29, wherein said firsttransporting means comprises a conveyor arranged to accommodate and toadvance a row of empty containers.
 39. A machine as defined in claim 38,wherein said conveyor constitutes a magazine for temporary storage ofempty containers and defines a substantially straight portion of saidfirst path.
 40. A machine as defined in claim 38, wherein said blanksupplying means is arranged to supply blanks which are provided withadhesive and wherein said deforming means is arranged to convert suchblanks into envelopes forming part of said containers and havingadhesive-coated portions overlapping other portions of the respectiveenvelopes, and further comprising means for promoting the binding actionof adhesive on said envelopes.
 41. A machine as defined in claim 40,wherein said meaNs for promoting the binding action of adhesivecomprises heating means.
 42. A machine as defined in claim 40, whereinsaid means for promoting the binding action of adhesive is adjacent tothat portion of said first path which is defined by said conveyor.
 43. Amachine as defined in claim 40, wherein the adhesive is aheat-activatable adhesive.
 44. A machine as defined in claim 38, whereinsaid conveyor constitutes a substantially vertical magazine and said rowof empty containers is a stack of superimposed containers.
 45. A machineas defined in claim 44, wherein said magazine comprises movablesupporting means for the stack of containers therein.
 46. A machine asdefined in claim 29, wherein said blank deforming means comprises aplurality of mandrels which are movable with and relative to said firsttransporting means.
 47. A machine as defined in claim 46, wherein saidfirst transporting means comprises a plurality of conveyors and furthercomprising means for transferring said mandrels between said conveyors.48. A machine as defined in claim 29, wherein said blank deforming meanscomprises a plurality of mandrels and said transfer means comprisesstripping means for separating empty containers from such mandrels. 49.A machine as defined in claim 48, wherein said stripping means comprisespneumatic holder means for holding empty containers by suction.
 50. Amachine as defined in claim 49, further comprising means for moving saidholder means with reference to said mandrels and for connecting saidholder means to a suction generating device in response to relativemovement between such holder means and said mandrels.
 51. A machine asdefined in claim 29, further comprising segregating means for removingfrom said first path those empty containers which are not transferred bysaid transfer means.
 52. A machine as defined in claim 29, furthercomprising signal generating detector means for scanning the groups insaid second path and control means for actuating said transfer means inresponse to signals from said detector means.
 53. A machine as definedin claim 52, wherein said detector means is arranged to generate signalsin response to detection of groups in a predetermined portion of saidsecond path.
 54. A machine as defined in claim 53, wherein said firsttransporting means and said transfer means are arranged to convey emptycontainers at predetermined rates of speed and said second transportingmeans is arranged to convey groups at such a speed that said transfermeans transfers to said filling means a selected empty containersimultaneously with the arrival of the detected group to said fillingmeans.
 55. A machine as defined in claim 29, further comprising drivemeans for intermittently operating at least some of said deforming meansand said first and second transporting means.
 56. A machine as definedin claim 29 further comprising signal generating detector means forscanning empty containers in said first path and control means foroperating said deforming means in response to signals from said detectormeans.
 57. A machine as defined in claim 29, wherein said convertingassembly further comprises conveyor means for transporting blanks alonga third path, and further comprising signal generating detector meansfor scanning the blanks in said third path and control means foroperating said deforming means in response to signals from said detectormeans.
 58. A machine as defined in claim 29, further comprising controlmeans for regulating the delivery of blanks from said source to saiddeforming means.
 59. A machine as defined in 38, 29, further comprisingsignal generating detector means for monitoring the delivery of blanksfrom said source to said deforming means and means for receiving signalsfrom said detector means in to detected absence of blanks.
 60. A machineas defined in claim 29, further comprising drive means for operating atleast Some of said deforming means and said first and secondtransporting means in stepwise fashion for first predetermined intervalsof time which alternate with second predetermined intervals of dwell,arresting means actuatable to stop the operation of said deforming meansand said first transporting means, and means for continuing theoperation of said deforming and first transporting means when saidarresting means is actuated at a time other than upon completion of astage including one of said first intervals and one of said secondintervals.
 61. A machine as defined in claim 36, wherein said firsttransporting means further comprises at least one rotary conveyor fortransport of blanks during conversion into empty containers by saiddeforming means and means for transferring containers from said rotaryconveyor to said one conveyor.
 62. In a machine for the making ofpartially open empty packs each of which consists of at least oneenvelope, particularly for reception of groups of rod-shaped tobaccoproducts, a combination comprising conveyor means; a plurality ofmandrels arranged to travel with said conveyor means along apredetermined path; a source of blanks having adhesive-coated portions;means for supplying blanks from said source to successive mandrels; andconverting means for converting the thus supplied blanks into emptypacks which surround the respective mandrels and wherein theadhesive-coated portions overlap with other portions of convertedblanks, said converting means comprising means for pressing saidadhesive-coated portions of blanks against said other portions duringtravel of the respective mandrels along at least one elongated portionof said path, said pressing means having at least one pack-engagingsurface adjacent to said elongated portion of said path and saidconveyor means comprising means for reducing the mutual spacing of saidmandrels during travel along said elongated portion of said path.
 63. Acombination as defined in claim 62, wherein each of said mandrels has apredetermined length and each of said packs has a closed end at one endand an open end at the other end of the respective mandrel.
 64. Acombination as defined in claim 62, wherein each of said mandrels is asubstantially box-shaped body.
 65. A combination as defined in claim 62,wherein the mutual spacing of said mandrels during travel along saidelongated portion of said path is zero.
 66. A combination as defined inclaim 62, further comprising means for separably coupling said mandrelsto said conveyor means, the mandrels travelling along said elongatedportion of said path forming a stack of superimposed mandrels.
 67. Acombination as defined in claim 62, further comprising at leastsubstantially upright wall means flanking said elongated portion of saidpath and means for heating said wall means, said surface being providedon said wall means.
 68. A combination as defined in claim 62, furthercomprising drive means for operating said conveyor means in stepwisefashion so that a mandrel enters and a mandrel leaves said elongatedportion of said path in response to each stepwise operation of saidconveyor means.